- How does the point wagering system influence players’ willingness to share authentically?
For this prototype, we’re curious about whether attaching points to honesty actually makes people more willing to open up. We’ll test this using a simple paper-based prototype where players wager points based on how deeply they’re willing to answer a given question. My hunch is that adding this wagering mechanic will push players to share more authentically – since they’ll feel a sense of reward for being vulnerable. But I’m also aware people might adjust their bets strategically depending on how comfortable they feel about the question, creating an interesting dynamic between genuine openness and tactical gameplay. It’ll be fascinating to see how this balance shapes the vibe of the game.
- Do Safe Tokens effectively balance emotional safety and player engagement?
Here, we want to make sure players always have an out if a question is too personal – hence the idea of Safe Tokens. Our next prototype will focus on giving each player a limited set of these tokens to skip uncomfortable questions without penalty. My expectation is that simply knowing they have a safety net will actually make players more comfortable participating. But I also wonder: will some people lean too heavily on these tokens, opting out frequently, or will they treat them like rare, valuable resources? Watching these choices play out will tell us a lot about how best to balance comfort with meaningful participation.
- What intensity and frequency of deep questions maximizes engagement without causing emotional fatigue?
We’ll prototype this by experimenting with different types and pacing of deep questions. We’ll run playtests starting with lighter questions and gradually increasing the depth, observing closely when players start to lose steam or if they stay engaged all the way through. My guess is that building gradually – from easy questions to ones requiring deeper reflection – will keep energy and enthusiasm high. But it’s tricky, because going too deep, too quickly might drain players emotionally, while being too cautious could bore them. Figuring out that sweet spot will be key, and honestly, it’ll probably take a few tries before we find the right rhythm.
